…and former The Onion features editor Joe Garden (above) debates CNN producer Ted Schillinger about the role of media in Queens LIC at The Creek’s Sweaty Nixon

Tonight’s recommendations for the best in New York City comedy (in chronological order, with top picks noted and shows over $10 marked with $) include:

TOP PICK][FREE]7:00 pm: This monthly debate-style comedy show “sets two expert combatants from different sides of a polarizing issue against one another,” with tonight’s topicThe Role of Mediadebated by Joe Garden (former Features Editor atThe Onion) and Ted Schillinger (Emmy winner; Co-Executive Producer of CNN’sThe Hunt With John Walsh) atThe Creekupstairs theatre in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Ben Kissel:Sweaty Nixon

[MEGA-TOP PICK] [FREE]11:00 pm: Some of the finest comics in the world—who aren’t announced in advance, but it’s usually a great lineup and often an extraordinary one—atUCB Chelseahosted by Aparna Nancherla or someone else wonderful:Whiplash

Monday Open Mics & Jams

5:00 pm ($5): Two-hour open-mic for 20 stand-ups performing for 5 minutes each, with sign-up onlinehere, at theStand Up NYComedy Club (236 West 78th Street):Stand Up NY Open Mic

[FREE]6:00 pm: Open mic stand-up show that provides each performer whose name is pulled from a bucket 5 minutes on stage—and also allows everyone play Bingo!—atThe Creekdownstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Julia Lundy & Veronica Elizabeth:Bingo Open Mic

6:00 pm & 8:00 pm (no cover, 1 drink min. for both comics and audience members): Open mic stand-up providing 5-7 minutes per comic, with each show running 1 hour and 45 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes before the show you want to be in to get on the signup sheet. This is a fine opportunity to perform at the only comedy club in the East Village:Eastville Comedy Club Open Mic

[FREE]10:00 pm: Open mic stand-up show that provides each performer whose name is pulled from a bucket 4 minutes on stage atThe Creekupstairs lounge in Queens’ Long Island City hosted by Joseph Robert:PBR & Scrap Paper Open Mic Stand-Up

[FREE]10:30 pm: Improv veterans Brandon Gardner, Chelsea Clarke, and Phillip Jackson hosting & performing in a show atUCB Eastwith improvisors taken from the audience…and who may includeyou:Improv Nerds Jam

[FREE]11:00 pm: Improv students are welcomed onto the stage atThe PITdownstairs lounge for this weekly open access show hosted by Gary DeNoia & Langston Belton:Base Jam

From legendary NYC comedy site Brooklyn Vegan: Thank God for Hy Bender’s religiously updated show bible BestNewYorkComedy.com. He is literally the only person in NYC providing daily summaries of what’s happening comedy-wise. It must be exhausting keeping that monster of a website alive…It is your daily comedy itinerary and it scares me how on top of his shit this guy is.

If you have a comedy show you want considered for listing, simply create a Facebook page for the event—including price & lineup—make sure we’re FB friends, and invite me through that page.

Please feel encouraged to reach out to tell me about comedy shows, hire me for book or screenplay work, or for any other reason by emailing me at hy@hyreviews.com.